The Purpose of His Coming God sent Jesus to tell us the truth! The truth ABOUT OURSELVES ABOUT GOD o The truth about OURSELVES for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23, NKJV For the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23a o The truth about GOD Jesus IS the TRUTH - John 14:6 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23, NKJV. (PRAYER) (Take your time ) Jesus came to deliver us from OUR SINS (EXPLAIN) READ Luke 2:8-20... Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called BETHLEHEM, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in A MANGER, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, Page 1 of 5
lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke 2:1-20, NKJV. WHY of all people would the angels be sent to THESE SHEPHERDS? They could have announced the birth of the Savior to Caesar Augustus or King Herod (the PALACE). Could have appeared to the religious leaders, the Temple Priests, Sadducees or Pharisees. (TEMPLE) They could have appeared to AN ENTIRE CITY such as JERUSALEM THINK ABOUT IT! These shepherds were overseeing the very flocks from which the future Temple sacrifices would come (The FUTURE SACRIFICIAL LAMBS that would be sacrificed for the sins of the people!) IMAGINE! The Shepherds who watched over the sheep designated to be the future "Passover lambs"! Page 2 of 5
Announcing Jesus The One Born to Die! It is no coincidence then that the angels were sent to THESE MEN! Because God was announcing the birth of His one and only TRUE PASSOVER LAMB! A powerful statement of the purpose of His coming "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!" The Angel's message... (Luke 2:10) "DO NOT BE AFRAID" GOOD NEWS (tidings)"! GREAT JOY TO ALL PEOPLE! V:11 SAVIOR = rescuer! A "Deliverer"! Only people in trouble need to be "rescued"! ONLY "SINNERS" NEED A SAVIOR! (We are lost in sin and under God's judgment ) CHRIST = The anointed One! Chosen one of God! The long awaited "Messiah"! lord = (Kurios) often in the Greek OT (Septuagint) = owner; the master; one who has control of the person, This title was originally used to rep. "Jehovah"! (OT) Lord God/Jehovah God! But later was used to refer to the Messiah also. Page 3 of 5
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name IMMANUEL. Isaiah 7:14, NKJV He is our Immanuel = "God with us"! In Christ, God is WITH US In Christ, God is WITH YOU! IF you are in Christ, God is IN YOU! AFTER this great revelation it was "back to the daily grind". (Luke 2:20) But! Now a changed life! A life of "praise" & witnesses A life full of the "good news"! And so it should be with us... Let s acknowledge the goodness of God found in Christ and commit to take that good news with us into the next year (If plenty of time, body ministry & prayer ) Ready your hearts for Christmas! Have you accepted the Savior? Confession & acknowledgment Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit Page 4 of 5
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